Detroit Public Library eliminates late fees

Detroit Public Library eliminated all overdue fees at its 22 branches throughout the city.

Detroit Public Library has eliminated fines for overdue items in a bid to bring old patrons back into the fold, part of a national trend of eliminating the fees that amount to a rounding error in the library system's overall revenue.

Starting last Sunday, the library did away with late fees and wiped out past overdue fines at each of its 22 branches around the city for the first time in its 154-year history, according to a Tuesday news release.

Fines made up less than 0.1 percent of the library's overall revenue. They amounted to $30,384 in 2018.

Fine-free libraries are spreading in Michigan. Kent District Library in Kent County and Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland cut fines a few months ago, and others are following suit.

Research has suggested that fines often do more harm than good and disproportionately impact low-income people.

Those who had late fees on their accounts can return any outstanding items and begin borrowing again free of charge. The move does not apply to damaged or lost items.

"Libraries are about providing access, and going fine free is one more way we're increasing access to our collections and services," Kathryn Dowgiewicz, public relations specialist with the library, said in an email. "With no fines, the Detroit Public Library will be more accessible and welcoming than ever before."

Officials believe lifting fines will draw more people into the libraries and increase circulation of its offerings, which in addition to books include e-books, movies, music, educational databases and streaming services, such as Overdrive, Hoopla and Libby.

The library system — the largest public library system in the state — is an independent municipal corporation governed by a seven-member commission. Members are appointed by the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education.

Detroit Public Library is funded primarily through a 4.63 mill tax on property owners in Detroit. Its budget for fiscal year 2019 was $32,372,470, according to a city document. Taxes accounted for $27,925,922 , while $3,017,106 comes from county, state and federal funds, and $405,990 is from library fees.